Getting Out of Venue Contract Due to Health Reasons

I am very sorry about your situation and hope you recover soon. Unless you have wedding insurance, which protects you from unforeseen circumstances, then you will need to go with what is in the contract regarding cancellations/postponements. Perhaps they would allow you to "sell" your contract to another bride (although with 2 months away that might not be possible).

Unless your contract has something in it specifically stating in the event of illness you'd get your money or not be responsible for paying x amount then unfortunately you are going to be required to pay the amount.

It is pretty bad if they don't allow the option of a replacement party having the wedding there (by compensating you and the venue management appropriately). The reason of the prepayment is mostly so the venue does not lose revenue for the venue on that day. It is not so they can make extra profit if you can't do the event.

I hope there is a good recovery for you too. Pray the venue has a change of mind and helps with alternatives.

You'll have to go with whatever the contract says. They've been holding this date for you and telling other people they can't have it... so you are likely out of luck. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news....

Contract governs but talk to a lawyer if you can- a friend, family member, or etc. There may be some language in the contract that works in your favor but the venue might not be pointing it out because they don’t have to… Also the venue might have an obligation to mitigate the loss/cost to you- for example if you have to pay 75% & they end up booking that date for another couple, you might have the right to get some portion (or all) of that 75% refunded since they didn’t end up with any monetary loss for that wedding date. Good luck & best wishes for your health.

Sort of along what Mary noted, the venue makes the contract so the wording of the contract would be read in favor of those who request the venue. There may also be some limitations in state law that would reduce your obligations. I think also that if you have not paid that 75%, they would have to go through some hassle to get that from you. (It seems you are saying that you would pay 75% of the contract and then you would have a fully new unpaid contract for the new schedule.)